Which type of employees are protected by OSHA?

• A. Private sector
• B. Public sector
• C. Self-employed individuals
• D. Immediate family members of farm employers

Answer: (A)

OSHA protections focus on workers in private-sector jobs. The agency sets standards and enforces them for employees who work for private employers across most industries. Self-employed individuals aren’t in an employer–employee relationship, so OSHA protections don’t apply to them in the same way. Immediate family members working on a family farm are generally exempt from federal OSHA oversight. Public-sector workers may be covered through state OSHA plans in some states, but the common, straightforward protection described for exams is for private-sector employees. That’s why the private sector is the best answer.